Refillable catnip toy

ABSTRACT

A catnip-filled toy ( 10 ) for cats which may be caused to roll, spin around, wobble, and slide when manipulated by the paw of a cat. The device ( 10 ) has a central hub ( 12 ) which is convex in shape. Extending horizontally from the central hub ( 12 ) are two hollow reservoirs ( 14 ) which may be filled with catnip ( 24 ). The central hub ( 12 ) and catnip reservoirs ( 14 ) are circular in shape when seen in side elevation from an end view, so as to allow the device to roll freely upon any smooth surface. The catnip reservoirs ( 14 ) have openings ( 20 ) through which the catnip ( 24 ) may be filled, emptied, and refilled and have a plurality of small holes ( 22 ) through which the scent of the catnip ( 24 ) inside may emanate outside. The catnip reservoirs ( 14 ) are attached by screwing together and may be detached by unscrewing. An alternative embodiment may include yarn ( 232 ), feathers, or other soft material extending from and attached to the outer ends of the catnip reservoirs ( 14 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The disclosed invention is a novel catnip-filled toy for cats.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] The scent of catnip has been shown to arouse and excite cats and increase their playfulness. Numerous toys exist that are filled with catnip; most of those catnip-filled toys being made of cloth which is stitched together and stuffed with catnip, in much the same manner as a pillow or a cushion is filled with soft material. While such catnip-filled toys may be clawed, bitten, batted, and carried around by cats, they do not allow the cat to effectively spin, rock, and roll the toy on the floor, and so their play value is thereby limited.

[0003] The present invention is a catnip-filled toy which is easily spun, rocked, and rolled on a surface such as a smooth floor, and can be bitten and picked up by the cats, as well. In addition, the device may be easily refilled with fresh catnip by the owner.

[0004] Catnip losses much of its scent over time and, as the scent fades, a catnip-filled toy will tend to become less attractive to a cat. Therefore it is of value to replace the old catnip with fresh catnip. Catnip toys that are stitched together such as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 308,557 to Reese do not allow the owners to easily replace the old catnip with fresh catnip, as doing so would require cutting open the toys to remove the old catnip and then stitching them back together after filling them with fresh catnip.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,838 to Reich shows a cat toy which may be refilled more easily than other sewn catnip-filled toys due to the fact that it can be opened and closed using hook and loop fastening, however being made of soft fabric, it lacks a regular, hard molded outer surface that would allow the device to spin and roll easily and freely on a smooth surface when batted by the paw of a cat.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,632 to Gordon teaches a catnip-filled toy for cats which lacks the central hub of the present invention and therefore is not well suited for spinning and cannot be moved in a rocking motion. In addition, Gordon's device does not allow easy refilling by the user with fresh catnip.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 380,879 to Hernandez shows a weighted catnip-filled toy which may be moved in a rocking motion, but cannot be rolled across the floor.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,127 to Leopold shows a device which is mainly for scratching and clawing and cannot be moved about on the floor or picked up by the cat because it is mounted in place.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,256 to Viola teaches a cat toy which can be effectively moved about on the floor by cats in a wide variety of play patterns, but is not filled with catnip.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0010] The present invention represents a novel form of cat toy in that it comprises a catnip-filled amusement device which may be quickly and easily refilled with fresh catnip by the owner and may be caused to spin, rock, roll, and slide about on a smooth surface such as a floor when manipulated by the paw of the cat and may also be bitten and picked up by the cat.

[0011] A touch of the cat's paw causes the device to spin in a lively manner which cats seem to find interesting. The unique shape of the toy allows it to slide, rock, and roll easily on a smooth surface such as a floor, providing amusement and exercise for the cat. In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the device allows the cat to easily bite it, pick it up or drag it around, providing further play possibilities for the cat. Additionally, as the toy spins, slides, wobbles, rocks, or rolls upon a surface, it may produce a faint scratching or pitter-patter sound, which seems to increase the interest of the cat. The scent of the catnip emanating from the holes in the device provides a strong attraction for the cat and induces the cat to play with the device.

[0012] An alternative embodiment may include yarn, feathers, pom poms, or other soft or flexible materials extending from and attached to the outer ends of the catnip reservoirs, as an aid in allowing the cat to bite or grab the device.

DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of catnip-filled toy for pets;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view thereof;

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof;

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view thereof;

[0017]FIG. 5 shows an end view thereof;

[0018]FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view thereof in cross-section;

[0019]FIG. 7 shows the invention being filled with catnip;

[0020]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view thereof in cross-section Reference Numerals in Drawings 10 device 12 hub 14 catnip reservoir 16 inside of reservoir 18 outside of reservoir 20 opening of reservoir 22 holes 24 catnip 26 male threaded portion 28 female threaded portion 30 surface upon which the device may be used 110 first alternative embodiment of device 112 hub of first alternative embodiment 114 catnip reservoir of first alternative embodiment 118 outside of reservoir of first alternative embodiment 122 holes of first alternative embodiment 210 second alternative embodiment of device 212 hub of second alternative embodiment 214 catnip reservoir of second alternative embodiment 216 inside of reservoir of second alternative embodiment 218 outside of reservoir of second alternative embodiment 222 holes of second alternative embodiment 226 male threaded portion of second alternative embodiment 228 female threaded portion of second alternative embodiment 232 yarn 234 knot 236 hole on outside end of catnip reservoir of second alternative embodiment

DESCRIPTION—FIGURES

[0023] The device 10 comprises a central hub 12 from which radiate horizontally two reservoirs 14, each reservoir having holes 22 through which the scent of the catnip 24 may be dispersed into the air.

[0024] The inside 16 of each reservoir 14 is filled with catnip 24 by inserting the catnip through the openings of the reservoir 20. The device 10, thus filled with catnip 24, may then be assembled by screwing the male 26 and female 28 threaded portions together until the two parts of the device 10 are firmly connected.

[0025] The scent of the catnip 24 emanates through the holes 22 in the reservoirs 14 into the air. The device 10 may be refilled with fresh catnip 24 by unscrewing the male 26 and female 28 threaded portions, emptying the old catnip 24 from the reservoirs 14 through the openings 20, refilling with fresh catnip 24 through said openings 20, and screwing the male 26 and female 28 threaded portions together firmly.

[0026] The central hub 12 is convex in shape so as to minimize contact with the surface 30 upon which it rests and is larger in diameter and circumference than the outside of the reservoirs 18, thereby allowing the device 10 to rock, roll, wobble, and spin freely when set in motion on the surface 30 by the paw of the cat.

[0027] Because the central hub 12 and outside of the reservoirs 18 have a circular or rounded shape, when viewed from the end in side elevation, they allow the device 10 to roll freely when pushed along the surface 30 upon which it is being used.

[0028] The catnip reservoirs 14 are equal to each other in size and shape so as to allow the device 10 to be balanced.

[0029] Alternative embodiments may be contemplated wherein the device differs in shape from the preferred embodiment, yet the function of the device is essentially the same. FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment 110 in which the catnip reservoirs 114 are more truncated in shape than that of the preferred embodiment and the central hub 112 is less distinctly separate from the catnip reservoirs 114.

[0030]FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second alternative embodiment of the device 210 which includes yarn or other stranded material such as mylar strips 232 attached to and extending outwardly from the ends of the catnip reservoirs 214 to allow the cat to better grab or bite the device 210 and to allow additional play value. The yarn or stranded material may be attached by tying it in a knot 234 and pulling the loose ends through a hole 236 in the outer end of the catnip reservoir 214 and securing the yarn or stranded material with another knot 234.

OPERATION—FIGURES Summary, Ramifications, and Scope

[0031] Disclosed herein is a unique catnip-filled toy which allows a wide range of play patterns for the cat and allows quick and easy refilling with catnip by the owner. Although the present invention is primarily intended for use by cats, it may made in various sizes and filled with various substances other than catnip, such as dried pet food so as to be used in a similar manner by other pet animals such as ferrets, dogs, or birds.

[0032] Various embodiments of the disclosed invention may be contemplated. As indicated in FIGS. 8-10, the shape may vary from the preferred embodiment, without changing the nature and function of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and legal equivalents, and is not limited to the illustrations or examples provided. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy for pets comprising a) a central hub which is convex in shape, b) two reservoirs radiating horizontally from the central hub, c) said reservoirs each having an inner concavity which can be filled with catnip, d) said reservoirs having a means of opening and closing to allow filling, emptying, and refilling of said catnip, e) said reservoirs having a plurality of small holes through which the scent of said catnip may emanate. 